Govt dreams of making Shillong a Film City, explores Film Institute

Shillong, March 25: The state government is dreaming of making  Shilong a Film City besides setting up a Film Institute.

Inaugurating the 1st Shillong International Film Festival at State Convention Centre, here on Wednesday, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said, “We feel that a Film City will provide the base for artists and filmmakers to see Shillong and Meghalaya as ‘the destination’ for film making.

He also informed that it is also a part of the plan of the government to have a Film Institute and said, “If we want to be key player in the creative sector and develop the ecosystem for it, it is important to have a comprehensive hands-on knowledge of both technical and creative aspects of film making.” He lauded the film makers of the state who have made and produced films and also worked on them with sheer raw talent and out of passion for films without any formal training or financial support. “It is now necessary to bring in professionalism in every aspect of film making,” he added.

On the 1st International Film Festival, the chief minister said, “This was something that the government was wanting to do for a very long time because our youth are immensely talented but lack the platform and the ecosystem to showcase their talent.

He further added that the culture, heritage and storytelling is an integral part of the culture of the state and outlined the great opportunities that can be created in film industry not just as actors but as filmmakers, technicians, choreographers, designers, musicians, transport operators etc. “While there is a huge opportunity that can be created for our youngsters it is also important that the stories of our people and our culture to be shared with the rest of the world,” he said.

The chief minister also informed that the government has worked towards providing the platform in a holistic manner by following the stakeholder approach and creating the platform and the support system. He also reminded that 50 per cent of the population of Meghalaya is below the age of 20 and hence the challenges of providing jobs and meeting the aspirations of the young population will become greater in the years to come. “Therefore, it is important for the government to keep innovating, experimenting and expanding the scope to provide opportunities,” he emphasised and outlined the government’s initiatives like the state supported OTT platform, busking under Meghalaya Grassroots Music Program (MGMP,) besides the film policy of the state to create the ecosystem.

The  chief minister assured that the film festival is not just about having a festival but its about making a difference and creating a vision and opportunity for the state. “This is just a humble start but let this festival generate thoughts, ideas and suggestions that will help to achieve the goal we have set before us,” he said.

Minister, Information & Public Relations (IPR), Lakhmen Rymbui, in his address, said that film making in the state has picked up momentum in the last decade and alluded to film making as a creative economy. He urged the young minds in film making to enrich their knowledge in the art of film making by diligently participating in the sessions of the three days’ film festival.

Chief Secretary, Dr Shakil P Ahammad, said that Meghalaya is known for stories and films are one of the strongest tools to narrate the story. He added that with the film policy of the state and other interventions and initiatives, the local talent will now merge with the global field of film world which is one of the most vibrant sectors and the state has taken the film sector as a major industry where the gaps in the industry will be supported by the government creating avenues and expanding the horizons for the creative industry.

Commissioner & Secretary IPR Vijay Kumar Mantri highlighted the tradition of story telling  culture which paves way for film making.

He recalled the contributions of the film makers of the state on the occasion.

Lokayukta Chairperson C.P. Marak, Director of DIPR B.S. Sohliya, and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.

The three-day film festival will showcase a curated selection of 18 films from the Northeast besides films from Bhutan and Vietnam.

On the occasion, the department felicitated several prominent film personalities, including Biana Momin, Sheba Diengdoh, Phelima Sumer, (Late) Hamlet Bareh Ngapkynta, (Late) Rana Kharkongor, Pradip Kurbah, Simi Khongtiang, Cores Marwein, Lansius Syiemlieh, Kamki Diengdoh, Elizer Bareh, Kiki Garod, Section Syiemlieh, K Mark Swer, Tyrel R Lyngdoh, Arun Bhattarai, Mankap Nokwoham,  Arnab Gayan, Hilarius Kharbihkhiew and Kenny Lyngdoh for their contributions to the film industry.

On the opening day, the film Ha Lyngkha Bneng, directed by Pradip Kurbah, was screened for the audience.